Rare type of tornado surprised everyone

Tornado seen in Delaware County near Shangri-La on Grand Lake May 22, 2011. Photo courtesy Terry Davis.

KJRH

There have only been a little more than 750 tornadoes this year and not all of them were expected.

Compared to the last 10 years, this is the third quietest season. And if it weren't for the April 28 outbreak, it'd be the lowest count -- by a long shot.

The April outbreak hit the south hard, spawning more than 150 tornadoes, more than any other single day this year.

On this day, residents in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee were expecting a day of tornadoes. The Storm Prediction Center had issued a moderate risk that morning since ingredients for a tornado outbreak were coming together.

But during the first week of summer, residents in Brunswick, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland weren't expecting the EF-1 tornado that touched down on June 23.

It was only on the ground for five minutes and traveled a little more than one and a half miles, but it managed to do a fair amount of damage in a short period of time.

No meteorologist could have forecast this type of tornado. Straight line winds associated with a line of strong thunderstorms collided with a strong lake breeze to create enough rotation for a small, short-lived tornado.

This tornado formed so quickly and unexpectedly, the National Weather Service never issued a tornado warning. It did, however, issue a severe thunderstorm warning moments before it.

When severe weather strikes, it usually happens quickly, and smartphone users who've installed the Storm Shield Weather Radio App can hear more than 100 watches and warnings as they're issued.

Right after the alert, they receive the National Weather Service forecast informing them of the danger headed their way.

On top of National Weather Service watches and warnings, Storm Shield is the only weather app with a dedicated AMS sealed meteorologist, providing national severe weather forecasts and other severe weather content within the app.